Sports
Basketball

Algoma U hosts national champs

The Algoma University men’s basketball team had its best season ever in 2011-12, posting a 13-5 record in the regular season to finish fourth in the Ontario College Athletic Association.

And the Thunderbirds have hit the ground running again this year.

They were ranked No. 1 in the country among college squads coming into the season that began last month and have cruised to victories — winning by margins of 38, 32, 24 and 18 points — in their first four games of the 2012-13 season.

But things will not likely be so easy this afternoon when AU hosts the defending national champions Mohawk College at 2 p.m., at the George Leach Centre.

Mohawk, which is 2-0, was ranked No. 2 to start the season.

“They are the reigning national champions,” said Thunderbirds head coach Thomas Cory.

“They have something we want, so we’re still thinking we’re the underdogs because they’re the champs until March 16, until the last game of the season is played … We want to beat them and I’m sure they want to beat us.”

Although AU is 4-0 and on top in the OCAA West Division, Cory isn’t overly excited about being undefeated at this point. He says today’s game will be his team’s first big test of the season.

“We haven’t played the top teams in the division yet,” he said.

“The national champs are coming in and we have them at our place. We’re confident we can have a good showing,” Cory said.

Mohawk is a big physical team with several returning players on the roster. Cory suspects they may take to the hardwood at the Leach Centre today with a chip on their shoulder because AU’s squad is rated higher.

“They’re probably feeling a little slighted because we’re No. 1 and they’re No. 2,” he said. “It’s going to make for an exciting game.”

Cory, who is in his seventh season behind the bench at AU, said he was somewhat surprised his team received top billing.

However, he said it is great recognition for the program and for all the hard work his players have put in.

“But we’re not satisfied with just a number, we want to be that number (No. 1) come March. That’s where we want to finish,” he said.

In addition to gaining recognition, the top ranking has also provided the T-Birds with a shot of momentum.

“What it has done is given us extra motivation,” he said.

Because the team is highly regarded players will do whatever it takes to ensure its ranking doesn’t slip, Cory said.

And in addition to motivating his own players, being pegged No. 1 means other teams are more determined than ever to knock them out of top spot.

“No one is going to lay down for us. We’re only going to make teams hungrier now,” Cory said.

The T-Birds have 18 players on the roster this season, 12 from last year.

There are two local players on the team, third-year player Ethan Campbell and rookie Mario Bruni.

The women Thunderbirds (3-0) are also in action today. They will host Mohawk (1-1) at 12 noon at the Leach Centre.

This will be the last year AU will compete at the OCAA level. The university will participate at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) level beginning in the fall of 2013.